Happy May everybody and welcome to the start of summer!
May is one of our favorite issues at Swoon Memorial, because each May, we hold our Ladies of Memorial Community Icon Awards Luncheon at Hotel Zaza. This is our 6th year to honor ten ladies in the Memorial area for their love and dedication to the community. Each year, I wonder how we are going to discover more dynamic women with selfless philanthropic contributions – but we always do! Beginning on page 9, we are proud to introduce you this year’s nominees! Each with a mission to make the world a better place. There are still a few seats available if you would like to attend, just visit swoonmemorial.com to grab your seat.
May has a lot going on, both Mother’s Day and graduations are happening. In honor of Mother’s Day, we found a Mom-osa recipe that is sure to make her day special. Plus, on page 24 we bring you a helpful guide to find Mom the perfect gift, plus, in Debbie Clemens Fab Finds on page 57, she found a few must haves for mom too! Then starting on page 33, we bring you some graduation announcements. We would like to congratulate all Memorial area graduating seniors, we think you are “swoonworthy” and are so excited for your future! On a more personal note, this year is bittersweet for me as my youngest son Brooks is graduating and leaving my husband, and I empty nesters. Believe it or not, I started working for the magazine in 2006 when Brooks, was born…so this is hard to believe he is graduating. Time really is a thief!
The heart of dance in the Memorial community, Uptown Dance Center was initially a small studio founded in 1999 by Carolyn Gullege and her daughter Beth Gulledge-Brown. Learn all about them in Noteworthy Neighbors on page 41. The 2025 HWCOC’s women driving business series announces Amy Davis to headline signature luncheon, and finally, Tony’s, Houston’s premier fine dining destination, is thrilled to announce the launch of its ongoing Champagne Campaign, a celebration of Champagne’s elegance and romance. Read all about it in Culinary Bites on page 63
I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother’s Day and I would like to extend a special Happy Mother’s Day to our Editorial Manager Gabby Garcia and our Art Director Desiree Lonsway – they are some great moms!
Sincerely,
Lara Bell, Publisher & Editor
Pictured: Publisher, Lara Bell and her son Brooks Milam, who is graduating from Memorial high school! Congratulations to all graduates!